Folding motion picture projection screen



March 25, 1958. A. B. HURLEY- 2,827,955

FOLDING'VMO-TION PICTURE PROJECTION SCREEN Filed March 29, 1956 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY ALBERT B. HURLEY March 25, 1958 A. B. HURLEY FOLDING MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION SCREEN 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 Ida.

INVENITOIR.

ALBERT B. HURLEY ATTORNEY March 25, 1958 A. B. HURLEY 2,827,955

FOLDING MOTIQN PICTURE PROJECTION SCREEN Filed Mar0h29, 1956 5 Sheets- Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ALBERT B. HURLEY ATTORNEY March 25, 1958 AB. HURLEY 2,827,955

FOLDING MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION SCREEN Filed March 29, 1956 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY ALBERT B. HURLEY March 25, 1958 A. B. HURLEY 2,827,955

FOLDING MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION SCREEN Filed March 29, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 Fla. /4

a v 8 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY ALBERT B. HURLEY United; States Patent FOLDING MOTIUN PJJCTURE PROJECTION SCREEN Albert E. Hurley, Huntington, N. Y.

Application March 29, 1956, Serial No. 574,736

Claims. (Cl. 160-44) coated surfaces are employed, even with a screen of conventional size and shape. Silver coated surfaces, in contradistinction towhite or beaded surfaces, are extremely sensitive, and any slight mark or crease deforms the surface and is quite visible when an image is projected thereon. They are not only susceptible to damage by abrasion, scratches or the like, but also are very readily marked by the rollers which must be provided in structures of the type under discussion in order to guide the screen as it moves between its wound and unwound positions. Either these disadvantages are tolerated or special provision must be made to minimize or overcome them.

Conventional types of motion pictures have an aspect ratio of 1.33 to 1. That is to say, the width of the picturei's 1.33 times its height. New methods of photography, so-called wide screen techniques, have resultt, t

ed in the use of a much greater aspect ratio, to wit, 2.55 to 1. Hence thewidth of screens suitable for the projection of such pictures has greatly increased. To use a screen of conventional width for the projection of wide screen pictures means that the height of those pictures must be greatly curtailed, with a resultant lack of effectiveness in projection. To maintain the height of the pictures at substantially normal level means that the screen must be almost twice as wide as has previously been the case. In such a situation conventional rolled screens are essentially unsatisfactory, even when used for home use, because of the great width involved. Such 2 pictures, it is diflicult if not impossible to have the ends of the picture and the center of the picture appear in approximately equal brightness unless this is done.

The structure of the present invention is specially designed to solve the problems set forth above. The screen proper is, as is customary, in the form of a flexible sheet of appropriatematerial having a reflective surface of any desired type. It is mounted in a framework which can be extended to display position and which can be folded to take up a comparatively small amount of space, thus facilitating storage and transportation. The framework is so designed, and the screen is so mounted thereon, that when the framework is folded to storage position the reflective sheet is protected and, which is most important, is always bent with a comparatively large radius of curvature despite the fact that the framework folds may be quite extreme. Hence the reflective surface will not become marred or distorted no matter for how long a period of time it may be kept in its folded condition. In addition, the framework, when unfolded, is specially designed so as to maintain the reflective sheet substantially tautly in a curved condition.

To these ends the framework comprises a comparatively narrow primary frame section to each of the sides of which secondary frame sections are articulately connected. Each of the frame sections is provided with top and bottom rails, and the flexible reflective sheet is mounted between and secured to those rails. The secondary frame sections are movable between'positions substantially in line with the primary frame section and positions substantially at right angles thereto, those positions corresponding respectively to the unfolded and folded conditions of the screen respectively. Means are provided for retaining the frame sections in both of the above specified relative positions. The reflective sheet is secured to the top and bottom rails of the appropriate frame sections along theflengths thereof, but that securement terminates at points appreciably spaced from the sides of those sections. Consequently, when the sections are foldedthe flexible sheet will, at the corners of the fold, be permitted to assume a very gentle and gradual curvature.

When, as is here specifically disclosed, the frame sections when unfolded are not directly in line with one another but instead make comparatively large obtuse I. angles with one another, the reflective sheet, because of the manner in which it is mounted on the rails of the frame sections, will assume a gentle and uniformly curved condition well suited for wide screen projection. In order to facilitate the assumption by the flexible sheet of such a uniformly curved condition, the top and bottom edges of screens would be unwielding and could not readily be stored or transported. When projection for a fairly large number of persons is required, as when a movie is to be shown at a club or a dinner, the situation is greatly aggravated because ,of the increased size involved. Such screens, when extended, may be as much as ten feet in width.

Nor may such a screen, even when provided with a white or beaded surface, be folded in conventional manner in order to reduce its width when stored or transported. Even white or beaded surfaces are damagedif they are sharply bent or folded. 1

Another factor which makes the use of conventional rolled screens, no matter what the typeof surface, essentially unsuited for wide screen projection is the fact that with such Wide screens it is most desirable .that the screens be curved, the radius of curvature being substantially equal to the distance from the screen to the projector. Because of the wide aspect ratio of such the sheet are secured to the frame section rails indirectly by means of a plurality of flexible strips spaced along the length thereof. Thus, even though the frame sections themselves may be straight or substantially so, the flexible strips will translate the angular configuration of the frame sections when unfolded into a smoothly curved configuration of the flexible reflective sheet. V p

In order to cause the screen to take up aniinimum amount of space when folded, the secondary frame sections are adapted to extend alongside one another in that folded condition. As a result, in many, cases the very same structure which is operative between adjacent sections when the screen is unfolded in order to retain those sections in that position can also be used to retain the frame sections in folded position.

Legs may be provided in order to support the screen when it has been unfolded. In one embodiment here dis closed these legs are telescopable relative to structural por tions of-selected frame sections, and when thelegs are moved to operative position theiweight of the frame itself :serves 'toaretain' those legs" in operative screen-supporting position. 7 V

In order to cause the screen, when folded, to take up a truly minimal amount of space, the secondary frame sections. on each side of the. primary frame lsec'tion maybe formed .in. setsof' .articulately. connected. sections. As here specifically .disclosedeach setmayconsist of two sec ondary *frame. sections. The. secondary frame sections .of .each set are, when the screen: is folded, adapted toextend parallel to. and alongside one another; and each set is adapted toextend parallel to and alongside the other set. The'primary frame section: is narrow compared to the widths of the secondary frame sections and may, when each set of secondary frame sections is formed of two sections, have a width. approximately. equal to the combined thicknesses of two of the secondary frame sections. As a result'a screen ten feet wide and four feet high when extendedmay, when folded,take up a space approximatefour feet by thirty inches Ibyten inches and yet the reflective sheet will bemaintained in straight condition over the bulk of its .area and will only be very. gradually curved elsewhere. 7 7

To the accomplishment. of the above, and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the construction of a multi-section folding projection screen as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specificatiomtaken together with the ac companying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is. a three-quarter. perspective. view of a first embodiment of the present invention, the screen being shown in unfolded orextended position;

Fig. 2 is a three-quarter perspective view of the screen of Fig. 1 in folded or storage position;

Fig. 3 is across sectional view taken along theline 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the screen of Fig. 1 taken along the line 4-4 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of the screen of Fig. 4- showing the construction and mode of operation of one of'the frame section securing devices;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view showing the manner in which legs are adapted to be secured to the screen; I a

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the screen-of Fig. 1, certain intermediate positions of the secondaryframe sections being shown in phantom;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along theline 10-10 of Fig, 2; 1 I

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but of another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Iii-+13 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 14.14 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the top or bottom rails of a frame section of the embodiment of Fig. 11; V

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view through one of the side structural members ofa frame section showing a leg in extended operative position;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 but showing the leg in retracted inoperative position; and

Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 18-18 of Fig. 12.

The embodiment of Figs. 1-10-discloses a projection screen made according to the present invention and formed of wood or similar structural material. The framework of the screen comprises a primary frame sectiona-with first ec ndary frame c ons 4 an a t st!- sections Sand 10 being .articulately secured to the outer sides of the frame sections 4 and 6 respectively.

The primary frame section2 comprises a top rail 12 I and a bottom rail 14 connected by a' back wall 16. The

top rail 12 may be formed of outer and inner parts 12a and 1217, the outer part 12a extending out beyond the inner part 12b. The bottom rail 14 may correspondingly be formed of outer and inner parts 144; and 14b respectively, the outer part 14a extending out beyond the inner part'ldb. Reinforcing strips 17 may be provided on the rear surface of the primary frame section 2, and a carrying handle 18 maybe attached thereto.

The secondary frame sections 4 and 6 may be constructed similarly to the primaryframe section 2. Their upper and lower rails 20 and 22 respectively may be deby outer and inner parts 23a, 20b and 22a and 22b espectively, connected by rear Walls 24. They are articulateiy secured to the primary frame section 2 by means of hinges fieprovided on thefront faces of the rails 12, 14, 20 and 22 respectively. Flexible protective strips 28 may be provided at the rear surface of the framework covering the spaces between the frame sections, those strips 28'being secured to the frame sections 4 and 6 by means of molding strips 30 and being secured to the frame section 2 by the reinforcing strip 17'. v I

The'frarne sections 8 and it) are similar tothe frame sections 4and6, and have top and bottom rails 32 and 34 respectively each defined by outer and inner parts 32a, 32b and 34a, 34b respectively, connected by rear walls "36.

-In addition they are provided with outer side rails 38,

these rails also being defined by outer and inner parts 38aand 38b respectively. The frame sections 8 and 10 are secured to the outer sides of the frame sections '4 and 6' respectively by means of hinges '40 on the front faces thereof. Flexible protective strips 42 bridge the gaps on the rear surfaces between the frame sections 4 and8 and the frame sections 6 and 10 respectively, being secured V apertures 52. Four such" legs 54 are provided, two for the mounting brackets 46 on the frame section 8 and two for the niounting brackets 46 on the frame section 10.v

When'these-le'gs 54 are secured to their respective brackets each of-the legs of each pair will extend in angularly opposite directions relative to the height of the screen, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The projection screen'pr oper is in the-form of a flexible sheet 58 having an appropriate reflective surface. That sheet 'is secure d to the top and bottom rails 12, 20, 32 and 14, 22,134 respectively, by means of flexible elastic strips ween the upper and lower rails of the frame sections. In

60. Theoutef ends'of those'str'ips 60are'fastened by any app'ropriatefmeans, such as the staples 62, to the rail parts l2b, l 4b 20b-,-22b, 32b 'and 34b respectively, and their'inner aims are secured by any appropriate means, suchas' thestitching 64, to the sheet 58, the attachment being'such that the sheetv 58 is held substantially taut beasimilar mannerthe ends of the sheet 5 are secured to the inner parts 38b of the end rails 38 of the frame'sections 8 and .10, the attachment being such that when the frame is unfolded to the position shown in Fig. 1, the sheet58 is held taut in a longitudinal direction.

. The attaching, strips 60 are spaced along the length and'heightofthe sheet 58 and-correspondingly along the lengthand heightof the top, bottom and side rail'sof the hei f t siw s wlar s e h th of e a rod 98.

be secured together by means of rods The rod 96 onthe'primary frame section 2 may function as a carry-' irighandle for the. screen 'whenin foldedco ndition. V

' The securing devices 74 in the embodiment of Figs;

11-18 are essentially similarly arranged to those of the sear-art sections's and 1t). Howeventhe securing device 74' carried by the frame section will engage with cooperating structure on the framefsection 8 when the frame sections are folded in order to retain the screen in folded condition. The open ends of the bars 98 maybe utilized for housing the tips of the unused securing devices 74" when the screen is folded.

'The legs 54 in the embodiment of Figs. 11-18 are adapted to be housed within'rthe vertical bars 98 and 100 adjacent to the meeting sides of the frame sections 4 and 8' and 6 and 1% respectively. As may best beseen from Figs. '16 and 17 each leg 54 comprises an upper section 102 and a lower section 104 pivotally secured at 106 to ears 108 depending from the uppersection 102. Fig. 17 shows a leg 54 completely telescoped within one of the vertical rods 9th When the leg 54. isto be moved to operative screen-supporting position it is telescoped out through the open lower end of the bar 98 until its lower part 104 has completely escaped therefrom. That lower part 104 is then pivoted to its position shown in Fig. 16, the degree of such pivotal movement being limited by engagement between one of the walls of the lower leg part 104 and the ears1tl8. The upper leg part 102 is then telescoped back into the rod )8 until the bottom edge of the rod '98 engages with the top edge of the inclined lower leg section 104. This serves to lock the lower leg part 104 in screen-supporting position until such time as the screen is lifted and the upper leg portion 102 is again moved down toward the open bottom of the Hence the weight of the screen itself will serve to retain the legs 54 in operative position once they have been thus placed, but when the screen is to be stored the I legs-54' telescope'into the screen structure and take up no additional space.

In the embodiment of Figs.'1'1-18, as in the preceding embodiment, the manner in which the reflective sheet 58 is secured to the top and bottom rails of the frame sections ensures that the sheet will be gently bent, with a comparatively large radius of curvature, at the joints of the screen structure when the latter is folded up, and hence no creases or foldlines will be produced.

It will be seen that the structure above described is particularly well adapted for the production of portable screens the width of which is greatly in excess of their height, that it facilitates the extension of a screen in a curved configuration independently of the configuration of the frame sections themselves, that it permits comparatively large screens to be stored in a very small space and to be readily portable, and that it permits the use of screens with silvered or other delicate reflective surfaces Without any danger that those surfaces will become marred or otherwise distorted even though the screens maybe stored for long periods of time.

While but a limited number of embodiments of the present invention have been here disclosed, it will be apparent that many variations may be made in the specific details thereof, all within the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A multi-section folding projection screen comprising a comparatively narrow substantially rigid primary frame section having top and bottom rails, comparatively wide substantially rigid secondary frame sections articulately secured to the sides of said primary frame section and m v we glar d. cauti n-e sential y a right angles to 3m: p firnary frameisection ancliopen positions making a large vobtuse angle less than degrees with saidpriinary frame section, said secondary frame sections having top and b ottom rails, means forreleasablysecuring said seednaai-i naiae sections intheir opengand closed positions respectively, and a flexible; reflective sheet secur ed to thetopand bottonr rails of said frame sections means of flexible securing elements, whereby, when Sald;S6CtlO11S are opened, saidsheet'is held in extended smoothly curved condition, and when said'sections are closed said screen takes up a'srnall space.

' 2. The'folding projection screen of claim'L in which saidsecondary .frarne sections comprise a hollow side structural element, legs for said screen being telescopable it s d e m nt v o etract d po i ionnd yond sai ele e -fiv pos o s le scomp i insuppe parts always'received within said elements and lower parts articulatelwmountedonsaidupper partsso as to be m v lebet e n p s tions pa all l and; angu a th to, said lower parts beingimovable outlof"saidelements a w n in a an ar po on: Pr je ting y nd and engaging the lower end of said elements, thereby preventing movement of said legsto retracted position while said lower parts are insaid angular position.

3. A multi section folding projection screen comprising ;a comparatively narrow substantially rigid primary framesectionhaving topl and bottom rails, comparatively wide substantially rigid secondary, frame sections articu lately secured tolthe' sides of said. primary fram'esection and movable between closed positions substantially at rightangles tojsaidprimary frame section andiopen positions makinga large obtuse angle .less' than ISOidegrees with said primary frame section,rsaid secondary frame sections having top and bottt-om rails, means for releasably securing said secondary frame sections in theiropen and closed positions respectively, and a'flexible reflective sheet secured to said top'and bottom rails of said frame sections at spacedpoints along itszlength by' means of flexible securing elements, those of said, points nearest thQSld6SIOfsaid frame sections being appreciably spaced from said 'sides,whereby when said sections'are opened, said sheet is held in extended smoothly cur'v'ed condition, and when said sections are closed 'said screentakes up a small space .andsaid sheet has a comparatively large radius of .curvature between said. frame'sections:

.4: A" multi-sec'tion folding projection screen-:comprising a comparatively narrow substantially. rigid primary frame section .having top-and :bottom'irails, two sets of comparatively widesubstantially rigid'secondaryframe sections, each such setcomprising a first secondary:frame section articulatelyisecured at one side thereof toi a side of said primary frame section and asecondisecondary frame section :articulately secured torthe other "side of said'ffirst'secondary frame section, said first secondary frame sections being movable between closed positions substantially'at right angles to said'priniary framersectio'n and open positions'extending inthe's'ame general direction as the widthof said primary frame'section, said second secondary frame section's being movable between closed positions .substantially;parallel'to and'alongside said first secondary frame sections and open positions extending in the same general direction as the width of said first secondary frame sections,.said twosets of secondary frame sections when in closed position being substantially parallel to and alongside one another, means for releasably securing said secondaryafrarne sections in their'open and closed positions respectively, and. a'flexible reflective sheet secured to the top and bottomfrails of said frame sections, whereby, when said sections are opened, said sheet is held in extended conditiomandwhen said sectionsare closed said screen takes .upa small space.

5. The foldingprojection screen of claim 4, in which said secondary frame sections comprise a hollow side structural element, legs for said screen'being telescopable 9 within said elements to retracted position and beyond said elements to operative position, said legs comprising upper parts always received within siiid elements and lower parts articulately mounted on said upper parts so as to be movable between positions parallel and angular thereto, said lower parts being movable out of said elements and, when in said angular position, projecting beyond and engaging the lower end of said elements, thereby preventing movement of said legs to retracted position while said lower parts are in said angular position.

6. The folding projection screen of claim 4, in which the width of said primary frame section is substantially equal to the combined thicknesses of said secondary frame sections.

7. The folding projection screen of claim 4, in which said means for releasably securing said sections in open and closed positions respectively comprises a hook carried by one of said primary frame section and the first secondary frame section of one of said sets, and cooperating structure on said second secondary frame section of said set and on the other of said primary frame section and said first secondary frame section of said set, said cooperating structure on said second secondary frame section being in position to be engaged by said hook when said frame sections are closed and said cooperating structure on said other of said primary frame section and said first secondary frame section of said set being in position to be engaged 'by said hook when said frame sections are open.

8. The folding projection screen of claim 4, in which said means for releasably securing said sections in open and closed positions respectively comprises a hook carried by the first secondary frame section of one of said sets adjacent said primary frame section, cooperating structure on said primary frame section adjacent said first secondary frame section of said set, said cooperating structure being in position to be engaged by said hook when said frame sections are open, and additional cooperating structure on the second secondary frame section of said set at the end thereof remote from said first secondary frame section of said set, said additional cooperating structure being in position to be engaged by said hook when said frame sections are closed.

9. The folding projection screen of claim 4, in which said means for releasably securing said sections in open and closed positions respectively comprises a hook carried by a secondary frame section of one of said sets, coopcrating structure on the adjacent end of the other secondary frame section of that set, said cooperating structure being in position to be engaged by said book when said frame sections are open, and additional cooperating structure on one of said secondary frame sections of the other set, said additional cooperating structure being in position to be engaged by said hook when said frame sections are closed.

V 10. A multi-section folding projection screen comprising a comparatively narrow substantially rigid primary frame section having top and bottom rails, two sets of comparatively wide substantially rigid secondary frame sections, each such set comprising a first secondary frame section articulately secured at one side thereof to a side of said primary frame section and a second secondary frame section articulately secured to the other side of said first secondary frame section, said first secondary frame sections being movable between closed positions substantially at right angles to said primary frame section and open positions extending in the same general direction as the Width of said primary frame section, said second secondary frame sections being movable between closed positions substantially parallel to and alongside said first secondary frame sections and open positions extending in the same general direction as the width of said first secondary frame sections, said two sets of secondary frame sections when in closed position being substantially parallel to and alongside one another, means for releasably securing said secondary frame sections in their open and closed positions respectively, and a flexible reflective sheet secured to said top and bottom rails of said frame sections at spaced points along its length by flexible strips extending between and secured to said sheet and said rails respectively, those of said points nearest the sides of said frame sections being appreciably spaced from said sides, whereby, when said sections are opened, said sheet is held in extended condition, and when said sections are closed said screen takes up a small space and said sheet has a comparatively large radius of curvature between said frame sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,250,429 Carroll Dec. 18, 1917 1,795,747 Viken Mar. 10, 1931 1,824,460 Bender Sept. 22, 1931 2,279,122 Kovalchuk Dec. 10, 1938 2,430,714 Geer Nov. 11, 1947 2,525,683 Keely Oct. 10, 1950 2,571,382 Raven Oct. 16, 1951 2,744,519 Means May 8, 1956 

